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While Fibromyalgia is not exclusively a women's illness, 75 to 90% of people who suffer from it are women, and it in fact affects women 10 times more often than men. Females are often impacted between the ages of 20 and 50 years of age. Medical experts describe fibromyalgia as a complex chronic pain condition that touches the lives of about 10 million Americans. This number has doubled since 2005. While symptoms may include fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, and even all-over-body pain, fibromyalgia is a multi-pronged disease that affects each person differently. Some sufferers may have a heavy feeling in their body while others may feel like they hurt all over. Dr. Caudle says one of the best things that someone suffering from fibromyalgia can do is to find the right physician. Having a doctor who understands the disease and is able to develop a one-on-one individualized program to manage their symptoms is crucial to diagnosis and treatment.

Typically fibromyalgia is diagnosed by exclusion. There are no blood tests or x-rays involved. Drugs such as Lyrica and Cymbalta are prescribed for pain. However different forms of therapy and even counseling have been recommended. The success rate is individualized and there is no "one size fits all" treatment. To date, physicians have not figured out a cure for this disease, only methods of control.

To raise awareness about Fibromyalgia, the AOA has launched a public campaign called Live a Full Life with Fibro. Surveys show that most sufferers delay diagnosis because of common misperceptions about the disease and the campaign offers them resources to turn to. If you or anyone you know is affected by fibromyalgia, visit the AOA website for more information.

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